Health & Fitness
Anti-Mosquito Operations Planned For Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette
The risk of West Nile virus from infected mosquitoes has increased to "moderate," according to the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District.
EVANSTON, IL — Mosquito spraying is planned Monday and Tuesday nights for parts of Evanston, Glenview, Skokie and Wilmette, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District announced.
Areas of Evanston south of Emerson Street and east of the North Shore Channel are due to be sprayed from 8 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m. Tuesday , while spraying is planned for areas to the north and west from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, if weather permits.
The risk of contracting West Nile virus from infected mosquitoes increased to "moderate" last week, according to the district. The index district officials used to determine the human risk rose to 2.68 last week, with anything above 1 indicating an increase in the liklihood of human infections.
Find out what's happening in Evanstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
District data shows the number of infected mosquitoes in the north Cook County region it covers have been average to below average so far in 2020.
So far in 2020, there have been no human cases of West Nile Virus in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Find out what's happening in Evanstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The district will use ultra-low volume Duet brand insecticide in most of its Tuesday operations. In Skokie it plans to use Altosid SR-20 larvacide.
In the first week of August, 66 of the 148 batches of mosquitos collected in district traps were infected with West Nile virus.
As of Aug. 12, the most recent day available, there were 217 West Nile-positive samples of mosquitoes out of 1,453 so far this year.
Evanston has the highest number of positive mosquito batches with 56, followed by Skokie with 48 and Glenview with 31, according to the district.
District officials said more mosquito control operations are planned in response to the virus' increasing prevalence.
Residents were advised to find and get rid of any standing water on their property, use insect repellent, wear use fitting clothing and avoid peak mosquito hours around dawn and dusk to minimize mosquitoes.
Map: Mosquito Control Operations Planned for Evanston, Glenview, Skokie and Wilmette on Tuesday »
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
